The power of the iPhone

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: The sales of 2.2 million iPhones by Verizon helped Apple nearly double profits from last quarter. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/21/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/04/21/n_apple_0421.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial performance by Apple? Do you believe the numbers suggest a bubble forming? Would you be a buyer of Apple at this time or… Read more »

digits: Google’s Answer to Groupon

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Google’s rival to services such as Groupon and LivingSocial, called Google Offers, has officially launched in some cities. Will Google dominate daily deals, or has the daily deals market grown too crowded? Plus: what it means for Groupon’s planned IPO. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 04/22/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-google-answer-to-groupon/C16FD858-3A59-44FA-8E56-7645A80F4EBF Questions for discussion: What contribution… Read more »

Silicon Valley Cashes Out Selling Private Shares

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators.

Description: SecondMarket and its ilk allow investors and employees—including Facebook’s—to convert pre-IPO shares into millions. But is it healthy for startups? Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/21/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_18/b4226070179043.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues raised in the report. What is your view about this behavior? Should it be prohibited?

Americans agree: The rich should pay higher taxes

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: Hey, rich folks! The American people are putting you on notice. They want you to pay higher taxes. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 04/22/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/22/news/economy/budget_taxes_poll/index.htm Questions for discussion: How do you think an increase to income taxes for those in the top tax brackets would affect their investing decisions? Do you believe it would substantially… Read more »

BBC, Under Criticism, Struggles to Tighten Its Belt

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Management Issues.

Description: DAVID CAMERON, the British prime minister, was in Brussels meeting the press last October when he took a few moments to make fun of the British Broadcasting Corporation. “Good to see that costs are being controlled everywhere,” Mr. Cameron said as he directed a mocking glance at three BBC correspondents, each from a different… Read more »

Google’s growth problem

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Google’s stock fell as earnings missed estimates and investors fear that new CEO Larry Page isn’t doing enough to keep up with Facebook. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/15/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/04/15/mkts_google_0415.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented for Google’s drop in price? How much do you think this is due to the… Read more »

Tips for Trading Earnings

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: Cody Willard of MarketWatch’s Revolution Investing newsletter has four points you need to bear in mind to trade on earnings, particularly in technology, and talks about why he’s bullish on Google and Microsoft. Stacey Delo reports. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 04/12/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/tips-for-trading-earnings/02CE7F7A-E8A7-47CB-BED0-122F6F8912D6 Questions for discussion: Summarize the advice presented? Do you… Read more »

LivingSocial Is Next Bet for Steve Case After Zipcar IPO Payoff

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: America Online co-founder Steve Case, recasting himself as a venture capitalist, pledged to invest $200 million in fast-growing companies in 2005. With his bet on Zipcar Inc., he’s now made that cash back. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/16/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-16/livingsocial-is-next-bet-for-steve-case-after-zipcar-ipo-payoff.html Questions for discussion: Would you have followed the investment route taken by Steve Case? Is… Read more »

The ultimate pitch: 11 startups, 8 minutes, 500 investors

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Description: In an old East Village music hall in downtown New York, more than 500 investors from around the country crowded into a dimly lit auditorium to hear 11 startups pitch. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 04/15/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/15/technology/techstars_demo_day/index.htm Questions for discussion: What do you think about this method of raising capital? What do these players have… Read more »

The Wall of Worry Has Never Looked So High

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: THE stock market has been climbing a wall of worry — that’s an old Wall Street adage, and it has certainly rung true lately. Calamities abound and there have been setbacks, but the market has been climbing anyway. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/16/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/your-money/stocks-and-bonds/17stra.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say… Read more »